[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53689-53690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25658]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management
[WY-020-1040-00]


Seasonal Use Closure for All Motorized Vehicles in the Carter 
Mountain Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), Park County, 
WY, Cody Field Office

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of seasonal closure.

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SUMMARY: The Cody Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management 
Plan (RMP), dated November 8, 1990, designated vehicular use in the 
Carter Mountain ACEC as ``limited to designated roads and trails.'' In 
response to a request from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, a 
seasonal closure to all motorized vehicles, including over-the-snow 
vehicles was effective November 10, 1988 (FR Doc. 88-26011). The 
closure was then extended to April 30, 1992 (FR Doc. 91-23803). The 
Carter Mountain ACEC Activity Plan made this seasonal closure permanent 
(11/10/92). The closure will now be in effect each season from November 
15 through June 15 or later if unfavorable weather or road conditions 
exist which could create resource damage. A steel gate at Little Rose 
Creek establishes the point beyond which the seasonal closure is in 
effect. The purpose of this closure is to allow wildlife to migrate 
free of disturbance in their winter range and to allow elk to move 
throughout the lower reaches of their winter range to mitigate the 
impacts of concentrated grazing use. This seasonal closure will allow 
the BLM to assess the road conditions prior to opening the road in 
order to prevent resource damage caused by motorized vehicle travel on 
poor road conditions.

EFFECTIVE DATES: This closure will be effective November 15, 1999. The 
seasonal closure will be in effect each season from November 15 through 
June 15 or later if unfavorable weather or road conditions exist which 
could create resource damage. This closure will remain in effect until 
modified or rescinded by the Authorized Officer, (BLM Cody Field 
Manager).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jack Mononi, Range Management 
Specialist or Michael Blymyer, Field Manager, Cody Field Office, P.O. 
Box 518, 1002 Blackburn Avenue, Cody, Wyoming 82414. Telephone (307)-
587-2216.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Carter Mountain area (about 7,819 acres) 
is designated an ACEC. The objective for management of the Carter 
Mountain ACEC is to protect areas of unique alpine tundra and fragile 
soils. According to the Carter Mountain ACEC Activity Plan, motorized 
vehicle use in the ACEC is limited to designated roads and trails. The 
roads that are open for motorized vehicle use are designated with the 
white arrow system. Roads, trails and gently sloping areas that are not 
marked with the white arrow designator are closed to motorized vehicle 
use at all times. The seasonal closure will close the ACEC to all 
motorized use, including over-the-snow vehicles from November 15 
through June 15 of each season. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department 
feels that motorized vehicle use can disrupt the migration patterns of 
all wildlife; however, elk are particularly affected by such use. By 
restricting motorized vehicle use, the elk will migrate freely in the 
Carter Mountain area, and remain undisturbed by motorized vehicles in 
their crucial wintering and calving habitat. This closure will also 
help in meeting the overall objectives to protect areas of unique 
alpine tundra and fragile soils in the Carter Mountain ACEC by reducing 
resource damage that is caused by motorized vehicle use on poor road 
conditions.
    This seasonal use closure applies to public lands in Park County, 
Wyoming, located approximately 20 miles west of Meeteetse, Wyoming. The 
designation affects all public lands above 10,000 feet elevation in T. 
49., R. 103 W., Sixth Principle Meridian. Motorized vehicle use 
designations apply to all motorized vehicles with the exceptions of: 
(1) Any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle when used 
for emergency purposes or any combat support vehicle when used for 
national defense purposes; (2) any vehicle whose use is expressly 
authorized by the Bureau of Land Management under permit, lease, 
license, or contract; and (3) any government vehicle on official 
business.
    Authority for closure orders is provided under 43 CFR subpart 
8364.1. Violations of this closure are punishable by a fine not to 
exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.


[[Page 53690]]


    Dated: September 23, 1999.
Michael Blymyer,
Cody Field Manager.
[FR Doc. 99-25658 Filed 10-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-22-P